Nordlaks builds world's first wellboat with LNG propulsion

Norwegian salmon and trout retailer Nordlaks has built the world's first wellboat equipped with LNG propulsion and a battery pack. It uses new technology to provide both environmental and climate benefits – emissions of CO2 are reduced by 30% and NOx by 90%.

The vessel has been designed by NSK Ship Design in Harstad and is being built in Turkey at the Tersan Shipyard. The vessel will be 84 m long and 19 m wide, and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology for handling fish and water quality. The design includes the capacity to carry over 600 t of live salmon and also has very good facilities for the crew.

"NSK Ship Design has been working on developing well-boats with LNG propulsion since 2010, and has always had strong faith in the fact that this is the right way to go for the industry. This propulsion system will reduce the operating and maintenance costs for the wellboats and provide a significant environmental gain," says Thomas Myhre, Sales Manager at NSK Ship Design. "We see a great potential for LNG and battery packs in wellboats. Next-generation wellboats have a number of power-intensive processes on board, and the logistics and operating patterns of the wellboats make LNG and batteries suitable as power sources."

The delivery of the wellboat is expected to take place in February 2020.